Instagram and Pinterest introduce shopping

If you're anything like us, your Instagram and Pinterest feeds are part inspiration board, part shopping wishlist.

Following a mix of your favourite tastemakers and brands online already makes it easier than ever to discover new people and products, but now Instagram and Pinterest are intent on getting those products out of your feed and into your wardrobe.

Both sites recently announced that they would add a shopping button so you can turn your wishlists into a reality. (Sadly, no word on a function that allows you to swap places with that Swedish blogger you've been clique-stalking.)

On Instagram, the function will only be available to advertisers, who can target users based on information gathered across Facebook and Instagram (a combined user base of over 1.7 billion people).

The thing we're most excited about, however, is a plan being trialled in Spain that allows brands to insert shoppable links into their posts: an approach that's more relevant to the way most people use Instagram.

Third-party programs such as LIKEtoKNOW.it currently offer the ability to shop your feed, but an in-built capability would make it a much more straight-forward process.

Instagram seems to be taking a fairly cautious approach to commercialising, as the relative absence of advertising is part of the app's appeal. Until now, only very select branded content has been allowed to appear in your feed alongside more familiar shots of the Greek Islands and Gelato Messina.

On Pinterest, meanwhile, retailers large and small will be able to add 'buyable pins' to their products, allowing users to purchase items they're eyeing off without ever leaving the app.

The function is expected to roll out by the end of the month, a move that will no doubt be welcomed by the 93 per cent of Pinterest users who use the platform to plan purchases - and, of course, stressed hosts of themed parties everywhere.